Need Help With Chapter Titles for my Book on J.R.R Tolkien

[bilbobaggins764]

I have two chapter titles for my upcoming book that leave a very sour taste in my mouth. I would like to change them but I need the help of all the worthy folk on this forum who have nothing better to do. I hope that applies to at least a few. So the first chapter title that needs help is this

Attitudes Toward the Environment—the Free Peoples and the Shadow

The chapter is on the differences in how those under the shadow treat and view nature compared to the free peoples.

The next title that needs help is really an assortment of unrelated topics to the rest of the book but ones I wanted to include. Subjects such as Tolkien's view on allegory, his views on tradition, similarities that trees have to Tolkien's ents, and thoughts on escapism and fantasy in general. I was thinking of connecting the chapter title to the title of the book The Road Goes Ever on and on, But it does not have to be. I have some ideas below but the final does not need to resemble below at all.


An Assortment of Thoughts Further up the Road
Thinking Further Up the Road
Musings on the Road
More Thoughts on the Road

[Aikári Salmarinian]

Bilbo: Heya! What kind of help are you precise looking for with your chapter titles? In what sense are you them using? For what kind of genre book are you them using? I can't get a clear picture of what you're asking. I hope it get all sorted out with some thought.

[bilbobaggins764]

Bilbo: Heya! What kind of help are you precise looking for with your chapter titles? In what sense are you them using? For what kind of genre book are you them using? I can't get a clear picture of what you're asking. I hope it get all sorted out with some thought.

Thanks for taking the time. I am just looking for a better sound to them. I don't like how they come across.

The first chapter title is simply to describe the contrast of the way in which the evil forces treat nature [not very nicely] and the free peoples who care for it.

The genra of the book is part biography part evaluation of his works through his own worldview.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

aww I see, that is a wonderful book.

On the chapter name... wow, it is a bit too much words to me. What of.... hmm....(wheels in the brain are turning)

1. Balance between good and evil in regard of nature.
2. Nature regarded by good and by evil.
3. Nature regarded in good and evil ways.
4. Opposite treatment methods towards environment.
5. Different attitudes towards environment.
6. Different attitudes towards nature.
7. Environment regarded in good and evil ways.
8. Environment regarded good versus evil.
9. Opposite sides and nature.
10. Nature and opposite sides. (think this is the best one)

A title of chapter gives often the centre of the chapter. What is it about? It is shuffling with words until there is a nice fit to it. If possible you can also split the chapter in two? Then you can have titles bit in line what you had.

- Nature regarded by Dark Forces.
- Nature regarded by Free Peoples.

Some ideas of me, are these better or not? Then I'll sleep a night over and think with a fresh brain in the morning.

[bilbobaggins764]

aww I see, that is a wonderful book.

On the chapter name... wow, it is a bit too much words to me. What of.... hmm....(wheels in the brain are turning)

1. Balance between good and evil in regard of nature.
2. Nature regarded by good and by evil.
3. Nature regarded in good and evil ways.
4. Opposite treatment methods towards environment.
5. Different attitudes towards environment.
6. Different attitudes towards nature.
7. Environment regarded in good and evil ways.
8. Environment regarded good versus evil.
9. Opposite sides and nature.
10. Nature and opposite sides. (think this is the best one)

A title of chapter gives often the centre of the chapter. What is it about? It is shuffling with words until there is a nice fit to it. If possible you can also split the chapter in two? Then you can have titles bit in line what you had.

- Nature regarded by Dark Forces.
- Nature regarded by Free Peoples.

Some ideas of me, are these better or not? Then I'll sleep a night over and think with a fresh brain in the morning.

Wow, thanks for all the time and effort. You bring up some things that makes me think, it really should have been two separate chapters. One that focuses on the evils forces and their treatment and how they view nature the other dealing with the free peoples.

2 is my favorite 10 is secondary. Thanks for all the suggestion for me to consider. Both improve on my current title.


I think before i go forward i will see if it is even possible to break the chapter down into two. That would make naming it a whole lot easier.

[Fuin Elda]

So I like the idea of the two being split apart would make the naming convention the easiest. I also like the last two if one is going to keep them together though I would probably go with them being split if it can't though I am also a fan of Aikari's second suggestions.

I would also offer up

Natures as regarded by opposing views

Which is a bit of a mixture of both of Aikari's suggestions.

[Aikári Salmarinian]

The reader's perspective is also important and forgot to mention in my last post. Most of the time something is too much to read all in once. And if the reader cannot remember wel the number of the page, a good (sub)chapter title is handy to recall. So I try myself always to go for the best (and shortest) possible combination of words.

Good luck with your book!

[bilbobaggins764]

Thanks for all the help.